DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke rowing team climbed into the CRCA/US Rowing Top 20 Coaches Poll, taking over the No. 20 spot after advancing to the Grand Final in both the varsity eight and varsity four at the San Diego Crew Classic last weekend.

Duke’s varsity eight turned in its fastest time of the season in its first heat at the San Diego Crew Classic, topping No. 14 Wisconsin, Purdue and Iowa while finishing behind only now No. 1-ranked USC and No. 2 Cal. Duke went on to finish sixth in the Grand Final of the Jessop-Whittier Cup behind five top-10 teams.

Duke’s varsity four also set a season-best time in their opening heat to move on to the San Diego Crew Classic Grand Final.

The top-20 ranking marks Duke’s first time in the CRCA Coaches Poll since the 2005 season. Duke is one of three ACC teams ranked in the top 20, following No. 3 Virginia and No. 14 Clemson.

CRCA/US Rowing Coaches Poll

April 10, 2013

Rank Team (First Place Votes)1. University of Southern California (25)2. University of California, Berkeley3. University of Virginia4. Ohio State University5. Princeton University6. University of Washington7. University of California, Los Angeles8. Stanford University9. Brown University10. Yale University11. Harvard University12. University of Notre Dame13. University of Michigan14. Clemson University15. University of Wisconsin16. Columbia University17. Cornell University18. University of Louisville19. Washington State University20. Duke University